The ASPIRE program: ASsess, Predict, and InteRvEne

In Australia, assault is the leading preventable cause of death, (traumatic) brain injury (TBI), and mental health problems, particularly amongst women and vulnerable populations. We recently reported that, over a three-year period to October 2021, 1,232 patients presenting to St. Vincent’s Hospital in Melbourne sustained a head injury resulting from assault, including 900 (73%) following random assault and 111 (9%) domestic violence cases (the remaining 18% occurring in prison).

Our vision for the next five years is to develop a novel integrative neuroscience research program. The program will characterise, predict, and treat mental health deficits in assault victims that have sustained TBI. It is expected that this information will guide the development of novel personalised treatment plans and prediction models and by doing so, inform policy and practice to enhance the mental health outcomes of people living with TBI.